'Excalibur' 4K UHD Review
- Connor Petrey
- Feb 24
- 3 min read
Physical Media Release Date: 02/24/26.
Label: Arrow Video.
Form of Release: Limited Edition 4K UHD. [1 Movie, 2 Cuts]
The Verdict: A Must-Buy
FORGED BY A GOD. FORETOLD BY A WIZARD. FOUND BY A KING.
From John Boorman, the director of Point Blank, Deliverance and Zardoz comes the definitive cinematic telling of the life and enduring legend of King Arthur, from birth to death and beyond.
Behold, the Sword of Power! Excalibur! Forged when the world was young, and bird and beast and flower were one with man and death was but a dream. Given by Merlin to Uther Pendragon to unite the land in peace but wasted on lust. Driven into stone by Uther's dying hand, there to await the coming of a true King. A journey into the wonders and horrors of the imagination, this is the story of Arthur, the knights of the round table, the golden age of Camelot, the quest for the Holy Grail and of course, the wizard, Merlin.
With an extraordinary cast that includes Helen Mirren, Gabriel Byrne, Nicol Williamson and Liam Neeson, Oscar-nominated cinematography by Alex Thomson (Legend) and a thundering score by Trevor Jones, Excalibur makes its Ultra HD debut in a stunning new 4K restoration. From the blood and mud of the battlefield, to the glowing green of ancient woods and gleaming gold of Camelot, experience Excalibur as you never have before.
Special Features:
DISC 1 - FEATURE (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)
Brand New audio commentary by Brian Hoyle, author of The Cinema of John Boorman
Brand New audio commentary by filmmaker David Kittredge, director of Boorman and the Devil
Archive audio commentary by director John Boorman
DISC 2 - EXTRAS (BLU-RAY)
The Making of Excalibur: Myth into Movie, a never before released 48-minute documentary directed by Neil Jordan during the production of Excalibur
To Be a Knight and Follow a King, a newly filmed interview with director John Boorman and actor Charley Boorman
When Death Was but a Dream, a newly filmed interview with creative associate Neil Jordan
The Charm of Making, a newly filmed interview with production designer Anthony Pratt
Confessions of a Professional "Pain-in-the-ass", a newly filmed interview with 2nd unit director Peter MacDonald
Anam Cara, a new featurette on the working friendship of John Boorman and co-writer Rospo Pallenberg featuring a newly filmed interview with Pallenberg
Divided Nature, a brand new featurette by film historians Howard S. Berger and Kevin Marr
Trailers
Image galleries
DISC 3 - BONUS (LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE BLU-RAY)
Excalibur: Behind the Movie, a 50-minute retrospective documentary in which cast and crew look back on the making of the film
Rotten Tomatoes Scores:
Tomatometer: 73% (as of 04/01/26)
Popcornmeter: 80% (as of 04/01/26)
Physical Release Specs & Other Details:
MPAA: Rated PG
Runtime: 140 minutes
Original Release: 1981
Video
Codec: HEVC / H.265 (85.04 Mbps)
Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10
Aspect ratio: 1.67:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Audio
English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Subtitles
English SDH
Discs
4K Ultra HD
Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (1 BD-100, 2 BD-50)
Digital
Not Included
Packaging
Slipcover in Original Packaging
Reversible Cover
Physical Bonuses
Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options
Collectors' perfect-bound booklet containing writing by Charlie Brigden, K.A. Laity, Kimberly Lindbergs, Josh Nelson, Philip Kemp, John Reppion, Icy Sedgwick and Jez Winship
Double-sided fold-out poster featuring two original artwork options
Six postcard-sized reproduction art cards
Playback
4K Blu-ray: Region free
2K Blu-ray: Region A
Positives and Negatives
+ Positive Critical and Audience Reception
+ 80s Fantasy Epic
+ First Time on 4K UHD
+ One Movie - 2 Cuts
+ 50-Minute Documentary
+ x04 Physical Bonuses
+ x13 Special Features
+ x03 Audio Commentaries
- NO Digital Code Included
